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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs March 8 & 9 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

GeM Celebrates Seven Years of SWAYATT Initiative to Promote Inclusive Public Procurement
On 6 March 2026, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated the 7th anniversary of its SWAYATT (Startups, Women and Youth Advantage through e-Transactions) initiative at its office in New Delhi, Delhi, reaffirming its commitment to promoting social inclusion by integrating startups, women entrepreneurs, and youth into the national public procurement ecosystem.
About SWAYATT Initiative – Commemorative Programme:
Event: Ajit B. Chavan, Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GeM, presented the opening perspective on the progress and future roadmap of SWAYATT.

• A short documentary showcasing the seven-year journey and impact of SWAYATT was screened during the event.

Launch: SWAYATT was launched on 19 February 2019 under the GeM to promote inclusive public procurement.
Women: Participation of women entrepreneurs increased significantly, with cumulative order value rising from Rs.1,265.62 crore in the Financial Year 2018-19 (FY2019) to Rs.83,323 crore in FY2026, while orders grew from 1,01,530 to 44,48,894.

India Submits 7th Biodiversity Report to Convention on Biological Diversity
In March 2026, the Government of India (GoI) submitted its 7th National Report (NR7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), presenting a comprehensive assessment of its progress toward the 2030 global biodiversity goals by evaluating performance across 23 national biodiversity targets aligned with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

• It represents the first comprehensive progress assessment since countries adopted the KMGBF in 2022.

About 7th National Report (NR7) :
Preparation: The report was prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with inputs from 33 central ministries and departments.
Global Goals: The KMGBF’s targets by 2030 include protecting 30% of the world’s land and marine areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, and halting species extinction.
Implementation: The report notes that while India has largely completed the planning and policy alignment phase of its biodiversity commitments, achieving the 2030 goals will depend on effective implementation of actions across the remaining years of the decade.

Union MoS Jitendra Singh Reviews India’s First Integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant in Lakshadweep
In March 2026, Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology(MoS&T), reviewed the progress of India’s first Integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant being developed in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.

• During the visit, Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the physical and technical progress of the plant and examined key components such as the seawater intake system, the deep-sea cold-water pipeline, the turbine-generator unit and the desalination modules.

About first Integrated OTEC plant:
Technology: The OTEC utilises the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater to generate electricity.
Scope: The project is expected to provide clean power, desalinated drinking water, and sustainable energy solutions for island communities where conventional power supply is limited.
Implementing Agencies: The OTEC project is being developed with the support of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous institute under MoES headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN).

GoI Notifies Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards under National Green Hydrogen Mission
In March 2026, the Government of India (GoI) announced new standards for Green Ammonia (NH₃) and Green Methanol (CH₃OH) to accelerate the global trade of green hydrogen derivatives.

• The standards were notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) on 27 February 2026 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission(NGHM), aiming to strengthen India’s regulatory framework for low-carbon fuels and promote decarbonisation across industries.

About News Standards:
Standards for Green Ammonia: Under the notified standard, Green Ammonia must have total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions of not more than 0.38 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO₂ eq) per kilogram of ammonia.
Standards for Green Methanol: Similarly, Green Methanol (CH₃OH) must have lifecycle emissions of not more than 0.44 kg CO₂ eq per kilogram of methanol, considering emissions from hydrogen production, methanol synthesis, purification, and on-site storage over a 12-month average period.

• The notification also permits CO2 used in methanol synthesis to be sourced from biogenic sources, Direct Air Capture (DAC), or existing industrial sources, while allowing the GoI to revise the list of eligible sources in the future

DRDO Sanctions Rs 99.15 lakh Research Project to Bharathiar University
In March 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), sanctioned a research project titled ‘Development of Novel Antidote(s) for Highly Toxic Organophosphorous Compounds’, with a total financial outlay of Rs 99.15 lakh to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore(Tamil Nadu,TN).
Key Details of Project:
Focus Area: The project, expected to be completed within 36 months, will conduct extensive research to develop antidotes to counteract harmful effects of toxic organophosphorus compounds.
Conducted by: The research work will be conducted by DRDO Industry Academia-Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at Bharathiar University.
Project Team: The research project will be led by Dr. N. Jayakumar, Professor and Head, Bharathiar University, who will act as the Principal Investigator while Dr. S. Suja, Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Bharathiar University will serve as the Co-Principal Investigator for the project.

MSDE and Bajaj Auto Sign Flexi-MoU to Enhance Youth Skilling in Advanced Automotive Manufacturing
In March 2026, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), through the Directorate General of Training (DGT), signed a Flexible Memorandum of Understanding (Flexi-MoU) with Bajaj Auto Limited to enhance industry-integrated skill development in advanced automotive manufacturing.

• The agreement was signed under the Flexi-MoU Scheme (revised in June 2024) to promote industry-driven training for youth.

Key Features of the Partnership:
Purpose: The collaboration aims to provide industry-integrated training to youth in advanced automotive manufacturing systems at facilities in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.
Tenure: The agreement is valid for 10 years, with extensions based on performance in enrollment and placements.
Training: Bajaj Auto Limited will offer National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) aligned training programmes. In the first year, around 1,000 trainees will be enrolled for courses of up to 24 months, covering mechatronics, robotics, quality control, and advanced welding technologies.
Flexi-MoU Scheme: The scheme, implemented by DGT under MSDE, allows industries to design customised training programmes aligned with emerging technologies while adhering to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).

NABARD Launches ‘National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge’ to Strengthen Rural Climate Intelligence
In March 2026, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched the ‘National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge’ in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, to build a National Climate Stack to provide decision-ready climate intelligence for agriculture, rural finance, and public planning.
About National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge :
Infrastructure: The project is anchored in DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture), NABARD’s climate data platform, to transition it from a digital public good into a digital public infrastructure.
Target Group: The competition is open to India’s scientific and innovation ecosystem, including tech startups, research institutions, and universities.
Awards: The top three solutions will receive cash prizes of Rs 15 lakh, Rs 10 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh respectively. Winners may be considered for post-challenge pilot projects and adoption pathways through NABARD’s extensive partner network.
Timeline: The process includes an open call (March 6, 2026), followed by screening and a 6-8 week development sprint between April and May 2026.
About NABARD: Established on July 12, 1982, under the NABARD Act 1981, it is the apex regulatory body for regional rural banks and apex cooperative banks in India.

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI Launches USD 500 Million Social Loan to Boost Women’s Economic Empowerment
In March 2026, the State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), launched a USD 500 million syndicated social term loan facility, offering a greenshoe option, to boost women’s economic empowerment.
About USD 500 Million Social Loan:
Focus Areas: The social loan will support sectors such as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and women-focused livelihood initiatives, aimed at increasing women’s participation in economic activities and entrepreneurship.
Loan Coordinator: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG), one of Japan’s largest financial institutions, acts as the Mandated Lead Arranger, Underwriter, and Bookrunner, and serves as the sole loan coordinator for the transaction.
Significance: This syndicated loan marks a major milestone for SBI in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) financing, becoming the world’s largest gender-themed loan facility launched by an Indian Financial Institution (FI).
Aligns with: The funding which seeks to reduce the gender gap, aligns with the United Nations’ (UN)  Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-5) goal i.e. Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

BEL and SASMOS Sign MoU to Boost Indigenous Defence Manufacturing and Exports
In March 2026, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SASMOS HET Technologies Limited to enhance India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and increase export potential of defence systems.
Event Highlights:
Signatories: The MoU was exchanged between Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BEL, and H. G. Chandrashekar, CMD of SASMOS HET Technologies Limited in the presence of Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD at the SASMOS Aerospace Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Demonstration : During the event, an installation-ready subsystem for a naval radar communication network was showcased.

• The subsystem was designed, developed, and qualified by the SASMOS engineering team within six months, demonstrating its capability for rapid development of defence-grade electronic systems.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth to Assume Charge as Vice Chief of Army Staff on 1st April 2026
On 6 March 2026, the Indian Army (IA) announced the appointment of a major Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Dhiraj Seth, the current General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Southern Army Commander, as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS). He will succeed Lt Gen P. P. Singh and assume office with effect from 1 April 2026.

• VCOAS is the second-highest position after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and oversees operational readiness, modernization, strategic planning and coordination among Army commands.

About Dhiraj Seth:
Commission: Lt Gen Dheeraj Seth, an officer of the Armoured Corps (AC), was commissioned into the IA in December 1986.
Command: Before taking charge of Southern Command (SC) in July 2024, he commanded the XXI Strike Corps (21 Corps) based in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh (UP), one of the Army’s key strike formations.
Contribution: During his tenure at Southern Command (SC) headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, he enhanced training standards, operational readiness and strategic preparedness across peninsular India.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2026 – March 7
Jan Aushadhi Diwas (Generic Medicine Day) is annually observed on 7th March across India to raise awareness about the affordability and effectiveness of generic medicines and to promote the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in ensuring access to quality medicines for all.

• 7th March 2026 marks the observance of 8th Jan Aushadhi Diwas.

Background:
Declaration: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi declared 7 March as Jan Aushadhi Diwas on 7 March 2019 to promote awareness about affordable generic medicines.

• Jan Aushadhi Diwas Week is observed from 1–7 March each year, with the final day celebrated as Jan Aushadhi Diwas.

1st Observance: The first Jan Aushadhi Diwas was observed on 7 March 2019.
Organiser: The initiative is organised by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoCF), Government of India (GoI).

STATE NEWS

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Presents Rs.4.48 lakh crore budget for FY27
In March 2026, K. Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka who also holds the finance portfolio presented his 17th budget worth Rs 4,48,004 crore for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27), with special focus on technology-driven growth, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability, at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Highlights of the Budget:
Key Financial Indicators: The budget estimated total revenue receipts at Rs 3,15,050 crore, for FY27. The budget has estimated the state’s Capital Expenditure (CapEx) at Rs 74,682 crore for FY27, marking  4.6% increase compared to Rs 71,336 crore BE of FY26.

• The state’s fiscal deficit stands at Rs 97,449 crore which accounts for 2.95% of GSDP.

Key Allocations:  The Karnataka Budget FY27 allocated Rs 8,373 crore for the agriculture and allied sector, Rs 17,817 crore for health and family welfare, Rs 4,084 crore for animal husbandry and fisheries, and Rs 36,929 crore for women and child development.

• Additionally, Rs 1,096.09 crore was allocated for forest, ecology and environment, Rs 29,947 crore for the energy sector, Rs 100 crore for tourism development (Chamundi Hill project), and Rs 1,500 crore for social welfare corporations.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Presents Rs.7.69 Lakh Crore Budget for FY27
In March 2026, Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra, presented the State Budget for Financial Year 2026–27 (FY27) with a total outlay of Rs.7,69,467 crore in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The budget outlines major welfare schemes, infrastructure investments, and fiscal targets while maintaining a fiscal deficit of 2.7 percent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

• The budget aligns with the Viksit Bharat roadmap and is based on four pillars: progressive development, sustainability, inclusiveness, and good governance. It also sets a long-term vision of transforming Maharashtra into a USD 1 trillion economy in the coming years and USD 5 trillion by 2047.

Highlights of the Budget:
Financial Indicators: The budget proposed a capital outlay of Rs.1,12,816 crore for FY27 to push infrastructure development.

• The Fiscal Deficit is pegged at Rs.1,50,491 crore (2.7% of Gross State Domestic Product, GSDP), while the Revenue Deficit is estimated at Rs.40,552 crore (below 1% of GSDP).

Key Allocations: A significant portion of the budget, around Rs.60,000 crore, is allocated to three flagship welfare programmes.

•  A major highlight of the budget is the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Farmers’ Loan Waiver Scheme, under which crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh per farmer outstanding as of 3 September 2025 will be waived.
• The state government also declared FY27 as the “Year of Social Equality and Harmony” to commemorate anniversaries of social reformers Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Sant Gadge Baba, and Dr B R Ambedkar.

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